The Smashing Pumpkins

The Smashing Pumpkins are an American rock band formed in Chicago in 1988 and are one of the most critically acclaimed and influential alternative rock bands of the 1990s. The original lineup of Billy Corgan, James Iha, D'arcy Wretzky and Jimmy Chamberlin persisted until 1996, when Chamberlin was fired having been involved in the drug-related death of touring keyboardist Johnathon Melvoin. He re-joined in 1999, but soon after D'arcy Wretzky left (replaced by Melissa Auf der Maur) and the band broke up in 2000 with irreconcilable differences. In 2005, Corgan took out full-page advertisments stating his desire to be a Smashing Pumpkins once more and he and Chamberlin re-formed the band with Jeff Schroeder taking James Iha's place, and Ginger Reyes on bass. Chamberlin retired from the band in 2009, replaced by 19 year old Mike Byrne (who is notably younger than the band itself). This makes Billy Corgan the sole remaining original member, although he has always been the driving force of the band, writing and recording virtually all of the band's material himself.